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Meagan Stover (Sr., Lake George, N.Y.) scored 20 points for the third time this season to lead the Oswego State women's basketball team (7-0) to a 53-41 win over Rochester (6-2) on Saturday. It marked the program's first victory over the Yellow Jackets, as Rochester had won the previous 13 meetings.
Oswego State, which boasts the top scoring defense in Division III, held Rochester to 23.7 percent shooting from the field on 14-of-59 shooting. The Lakers also forced 20 turnovers and registered six steals.
Oswego State raced out to a quick 11-4 lead, with four different Lakers scoring in the stretch. However, two fouls in the first four minutes for Stover forced her to the bench. In the five minutes she was on the bench, the Lakers only scored two points, but kept Rochester at bay with only three points.
The scoring continued to go back and forth, as the Yellow Jackets cut the lead to 22-21 on a three-pointer by Blair Landolfi. Rochester would only make five of 20 attempts from beyond the arc in the game and never held a lead during the contest.
Landolfi's bucket was the Yellow Jackets' last until there was 12:53 remaining in the game. Oswego State finished the half on a 7-0 run, with six of the seven points coming from Lauren Nunziato (Jr., West Sand Lake, N.Y.). Nunziato finished the game with 16 points and 10 rebounds while playing all 40 minutes, her first career double-double.
The Lakers started the second half on a 13-0 run, giving the Lakers 20 straight points to build the lead to 42-21. During the 20-0 run, the Yellow Jackets committed five turnovers. The teams traded baskets to move the score to 46-28 before there was a scoring drought for four minutes for both teams.
The Lakers' staunch defense held the Yellow Jackets to 7-for-34 shooting (20.6 percent) in the second half. Coming into the game, Rochester was shooting 40 percent from the field.
The Lakers went almost nine minutes without a point, but a layup by Nunziato broke the streak with 2:30 left in the contest. Stover shot 5-for-9 from the field in the second half, netting 12 points.
The Yellow Jackets worked the lead down to 10 points, but time was of the essence and the Lakers held on for the 53-41 win. Ally Zywicki led Rochester with 14 points, but was the only Yellow Jacket to score in double digits.
Oswego State defends its unblemished record against Cazenovia at 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 14.
For box score, click here: Box Score
